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With cooler weather setting in, it’s nearing time to turn on the heat. The first few times your furnace runs through the winter will be prime time for problems to become apparent from the off-season. If you turn your furnace on and hear any unfamiliar or unusual noises, you may wonder what’s causing them. Here are some of the things you might hear and what you should know about them.

Booming or Banging Noises

There are a couple of things that can cause noises like these. Sometimes, these sounds are just because of the rapid change in temperature inside the air ducts. It can cause the metal to pop, and when the sound echoes through the ducts, it will sound like a bang or a boom.

However, if you’re hearing a banging sound like that which is paired with the odor of something burning, it may be an indication that your burner is dirty or the gas valve is malfunctioning. It’s important that you seek heating repair services in this case.

Rattling and Pinging Sounds

When the furnace shuts off at the end of a heating cycle, you may hear some rattling within the system. This is a direct result of the change in temperature as the furnace cools down. It isn’t a cause for concern. In addition to the rattling, the cooling process can also cause some light pinging in the air ducts as they cool off.

Screeching, Squealing, or Squeaking Noises

Your furnace shouldn’t squeal, squeak, or screech when it’s running. If you hear high-pitched sounds like these, that’s an indication that the blower motor or fan belt may be failing. Any time you hear something like this, you should shut the furnace off immediately and call for an emergency repair.

Whining Sounds

Any time you notice persistent whining sounds coming from the furnace, that’s usually a direct result of a problem with the bearings in the blower motor. If the bearings are worn or not properly lubricated, they will cause whining due to friction caused by metal rubbing on metal. This is another sound you should not ignore. Shut the system down and call for heating repair.

Clunking Noises

Persistent clunking noises, typically rhythmic ones, are an indication that the belt on the blower motor may be cracked or otherwise damaged. Any time the damaged part of the belt hits a pulley, it will make a deep clunking sound. You’ll need to have the belt replaced right away, otherwise you risk it breaking completely.

Now that you know what sounds to be concerned about and what sounds are typical from your furnace, you’ll know when to call for service. For more information, contact us today.

Air conditioning troubles seem to strike with little warning and during the most inconvenient times. Finding a trustworthy, highly qualified repair company is essential to ensuring that you and are able to live and work comfortably again. Below are the top 7 things to look for when seeking an air conditioning repair company in Bradenton, Florida.

1) At least 5 years of experience. There is no substitute for experience in the air conditioning repair industry. As you evaluate providers, ask them how long they have been in business and zero in on providers that have successfully completed over 1,000 repair requests.

2) Factory authorized to perform repairs. Factory authorized repair companies are great choices because they must adhere to more rigorous industry standards than non-authorized companies. Less than five percent of companies are factory authorized, so you know you are receiving service from a first-rate company.

3) Licensed and insured. Before you enlist the help of an air conditioning repair specialist, make sure to confirm that the company is licensed and insured. Some companies include their license number on their website for easy reference.

4) Superb accessibility. Being able to reach your air conditioning repair company quickly is vital to your comfort. Ideally, you should be able to contact your repair company by phone, e-mail, or in person. You also may wish to inquire about your provider’s ability to provide emergency service on weekends and holidays.

5) A service vehicle that is fully stocked with parts. A fully stocked service van is critical to ensuring swift repairs. A service vehicle should be well stocked with thermostats, coils, controls, filters, and other frequently-needed replacement parts.

6) A 100% satisfaction guarantee. Factory authorized dealers are most likely to offer a 100% guarantee. This will ensure that you receive technical support within the specified warranty timeframe.

7) A proactive approach. Top-notch air conditioning repair companies go the extra mile to ensure that your air conditioner is functioning safely and smoothly. This includes providing customers with preventive maintenance guidance and suggestions.

For more information on key qualities to seek in your air conditioning repair company, contact us. Since 2009, we have performed over 1,400 service and repair requests in the Bradenton area. Our team of trained professionals looks forward to serving as your trusted resource for air conditioning repair!

Living in a southern coastal area means having to be prepared for hurricanes, but for homeowners who are new to the area, this can be challenging. The more you understand about how to protect and inspect your air conditioning unit, the easier it will be to weather the storms and minimize your risk of needing AC repair due to storm damage.

Pre-Storm Preparations For Your Air Conditioner

Being proactive can really minimize the risk of damage to your air conditioner. When you know the storm is imminent, it’s time to shut down the air conditioner’s power source. Shut it off at the breaker panel so that you can be sure there’s no power flowing to it. This is important, because it prevents a power surge from striking the compressor and causing an electrical short or fire.

As soon as you have interrupted the power supply, you can shield the compressor from storm debris. Covering it with a tarp or off-season cover is better than nothing, but if you can plan ahead and build a solid wooden structure around it, that is even better.

Post-Storm Considerations For Your Air Conditioner

Don’t restore power to the compressor until you’ve uncovered and inspected it first. If, for any reason, there’s water in the compressor, starting it can cause a short that may be damaging. Not to mention, damage to the electrical wires or coolant hoses can also be problematic.

Remove the cover from the compressor and inspect it thoroughly. Look for any debris in or around the unit and clean it out. If you can see any punctures, water, or other damage, you’ll need to have that repaired before you restore its power. If you’re not confident that you can judge it adequately, a local Sarasota AC repair technician can help. Contact us for more information.

Let’s face it. Winters don’t really get too cold here in Bradenton. Our annual lows typically just drop to what many of our relatives in colder clients like to call, “jacket weather.”

Therefore, in many ways, the wisest thing to start thinking about now is keeping cool next summer; instead of paying for expensive repairs at the last minute, in the smoldering heat.

Like you, one of the things many Bradenton residents find especially uncomfortable is the humidity that goes along with the Florida heat.

Yes, your AC does help to some degree. However, Florida heat is not dry heat like you’ll find out in the Western US. The AC can’t fix all of it.

Sometimes the humidity can make your home more uncomfortable when you have guests over or children running around and playing.

It can also waste money. You feel your home is hotter, so you run your air conditioner on lower temperatures for more hours of the day.

Your ac might also kick on more often because the humidity makes your home hotter.

In addition, too much humidity inside the home can lead to problems like mold and mildew which can lead to a whole host of health problems like allergies, upper respiratory problems and serious risks to the medically frail like the sick, elderly or pregnant.

The primary role of your air conditioner is not to dehumidify. However, it will take some of the moisture out of your air. Your air conditioner pulls the air out of your home and cools it by running it over refrigerant coils. Then it recirculates that cool air throughout your home. The heat your AC unit takes out of your home is then expelled outside.

A dehumidifier removes moisture from the air by pulling air into the body of the unit. It then cools the air, heats the air and disperses the excess moisture through a drainage system. Though both types of machines will dehumidify and make the room more comfortable, relying on an air conditioner as a dehumidifier is wasteful. In a way, it removes some moisture by accident.

Therefore, if you have a serious moisture problem in your home and it’s beyond uncomfortable throughout our beautiful summer months, then you should make sure to grab a dehumidifier.

My Answer

The average annual level of humidity here in Bradenton is 80%. Many residents find that unpleasant. Many people also rely on air conditioning units alone to ease the stress when there’s a cheaper and more efficient solution. By combining your AC with dehumidifiers and using ceiling fans, (which can lower the temperature in your rooms by an additional 10% as well), you will create a very pleasant climate in your home.

There are portable dehumidifiers you can move from room to room. They are the cheapest solution for homes under 3000 SQ. feet. You should make sure to keep one in rooms that produce the most moisture like bathrooms and kitchens etc, to reduce the moisture before it spreads.

You can also install dehumidifying heat pipes to a central AC unit as well if your home is larger than 3000 square feet. When the AC pulls air into the body of the unit, it will remove the moisture. These are very effective and remove 91% of the moisture from your air, but they also create heat around the ac unit, making it work harder. Because you’re removing the moisture, 75 degrees will feel like 70, so you should turn up the AC temperature to offset the additional work your AC unit will try to do.

At Nice Air LLC, we love our beautiful Florida summers, but we know how important it is to stay comfortable indoors, and to have your oasis. Contact us today. Our AC Repair Bradenton FL technicians can take care of any HVAC needs you have!

Emergencies just happen, and they cause anxiety and stress for everyone involved. Keep in mind that most heating problems are easy to solve and are handled quickly by a trained, certified technician. This prevents damages to your heating unit as well as safeguarding your home and family.

Planning for emergencies can allow you and your family to handle the situation with calm, decisive actions. First of all, if the situation is excessive, such as gas smells or smoke in the house, get out and call emergency services. If your home is cold and the furnace will not start, call your local service provider. Have the name and number of your technician in your phone or on a business card that is readily available. That way you can reach them day or night if there is an emergency.

Someone at the company will talk you through the process and a technician will be directed to your location as soon as possible. Once they have arrived, they will ask you a few questions about your heating unit. Such as: Have you had any other problems with the unit recently? When was the last time you received fuel? When was the last time it was maintenanced? Knowing the answers to these questions will give your specialist a starting point in order to troubleshoot your problem.

Do not try to fix the problem yourself without the right training or equipment because this could lead to personal injury or property damages. Call Nice Air, LLC, and ask them about them about the certifications and licenses they carry. This helps them provide the right solutions to your heating problems the first time.

The coldest days of the year are upon us, and while we typically use air conditioning more than heat in Florida, there are definitely days we need something to warm the house up. If you’re not sure if your heating system is working as well as it should, it might be time to call for service. If you’re experiencing any of these issues, give a Sarasota heating repair company a call.

The air coming out of the vents doesn’t seem as warm as it did last year. Obviously, if you’re not feeling heat, the system isn’t working well, so it’s time to find out what’s going on.

The heat doesn’t kick on even though the temperature is below the set point. This could be a problem with the thermostat or the heating system, but you definitely want it checked out so it comes on when needed.

My heating system is making odd noises. If a previously quiet system is making different noises, it could be a symptom of a problem.

The heat seems to run constantly, even when it’s not that cold out. You could have an issue with airflow, filters that need cleaning, or some other problem that’s not quite as obvious.

My heating system is old. Anytime you have an older system, it’s always a good idea to get it checked out so it doesn’t quit on you at the worst possible time.

Ideally, homeowners should have their heating and air systems maintained on a regular basis which keeps things running well, and often catches issues before they become expensive repairs. If you are experiencing any of these problems, or just want to make sure your heating system is ready for the cold weather, contact us.

“Rick, winter is here. What are the steps I should take to make sure that my heating system is ready for the long and cold winter nights?”

Great question! I’m glad you asked. There are a number of things you need to take care of. Here are the important ones.

Replace and Check Your Filters. You heating filters should definitely be changed before you use them again. Throughout the winter, you should also be checking your filters once a month. Replace them if you detect any damage. In any case, filters should be replaced at least once every three months.

Replace Your Thermostat Batteries. This will make sure that it does not die on you in the middle of the night.

Unblock Your Vents. If you blocked your vents with furniture during the summer, unblock them right away. Failure to do so can lead to your system overheating.

Check Your Ductwork. Make sure that it is not broken and that there are no holes or punctures. Clean your ducts to allow for the smooth flow of heating air throughout your home.

Schedule an Inspection. Call a professional who can do a thorough inspection of your heating system. A professional can check your filters, thermostat, ductwork, insulation, motors, gas pressure, and much more to ensure that everything is working smoothly. If anything is broken, they will be able to provide you with the Sarasota heating repair services that you will need.

For more tips and to schedule an inspection, do not hesitate to contact us.

Many professional HVAC installers recommend a heat pump split system for an economical and cost-effective method of heating and cooling homes. A heat pump system uses electricity to operate. The heat pump looks like a conventional condensing unit that sits outside the home. Inside the home is an Air Handler (This is sometimes called a fan coil or an electric furnace). A fan coil is exactly what it sounds like. It is a fan and a coil which moves the heat or air through the duct system throughout the house. There is usually an electric heating element installed in the fan coil. When temperatures are above 32 degrees, the fan coil, with its auxiliary electric heat will easily keep the home warm. When the temperatures drop below 32 degrees, the heat pump (outdoor unit) kicks in.

If you have ever walked past an air conditioner that was cooling a home, you probably noticed the hot air releasing from the unit. That is because the unit takes the outdoor air in, and the compressor and refrigerant cooled the air. It then pumped the cool air into the building and the hot air expels into the air. A heat pump operates the same way, with one very important difference. A heat pump can reverse the process. When it is in the heat mode, it replaces the cold air with hot air. The only power source is electricity. So to put it in simple terms when it is cold, it pumps in hot air. When it is hot, it pumps in cool air. This is a clean and efficient way to heat and cool a home.

There is one other important piece of equipment that all HVAC systems need and that is a thermostat. The thermostat senses the temperature in the building and that is what triggers the system to produce heat to maintain the temperature the homeowner chooses.

By taking the size of the building and several other factors into consideration, a professional HVAC company can determine when a heat pump system is ideal. In areas that have extreme winters, they may not recommend a heat pump system. However, normal winters are not a problem for a heat pump. A qualified HVAC technician can install a heat pump split system easily. Like any other HVAC system, heat pump systems require maintenance twice a year. Most recommend servicing a heat pump annually in the Spring and in the Fall. This ensures the system stays in good repair and ready to provide cool air in the summer and warm air in the winter.

Homeowners that change their air filters regularly and keep their air vents clean and clear of furniture that could block the airflow have a longer system life. Please use a qualified HVAC professional for any internal cleaning and maintenance. Contact Nice Air LLC today for more information.

Whether your home or a commercial facility, your HVAC system represents an enormous investment in your property. When choosing who to trust with your investment and comfort, don’t just pull a name from the yellow pages. Just as you would in any job interview, ask questions before you hire a contractor.

Are you licensed, bonded, and insured? This question is purely about limiting your financial risk. Unlicensed technicians are often untrained technicians. A bonded and insured service professional ensures that, should a loss occur due to accident or negligence, your investment is safe, and you aren’t left on tap to repair damage you didn’t cause.

Are they professional? Professionalism goes beyond licensing. Check their online review through their website or a review site such as YELP! Watch for complaints of appointment no-shows, repeatedly late, or poor communication.

Will they provide you a quote and service they will stand behind? Ask up front if their “lowest price in town” includes all service fees, parts, and labor. Ask if they guarantee their work and for how long.

Will be they be there when you need them? Are they offering to do a job or enter into a business relationship? Are they available on an emergency basis twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week?

We have completed over 1400 service orders on HVAC systems since 2009, but our real business is the service we provide to our clients. We stand behind our work because it is our best advertisement. Call us today to schedule a maintenance check-up, major repair, or installation quote. With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, we believe in clear quotes up front, great communication, and five-star service!

Even with Sarasota’s mild winters, a failed heating system in the middle of the coldest season can be a nightmare. The good news is that this is often preventable. Heating systems seldom fail without giving warning signs. If you respond to these warning signs, you can fix small problems before they turn into big ones. The problems below are common indicators of impending heating system failure. You should pay attention to these signs and hire a Sarasota heating repair company as soon as possible.

1. Your Utility Bill Has Increased Dramatically

Utility companies typically increase their rates gradually rather than all at once. If you see a significant spike, that usually means that there is something wrong on your end. It means that your heating system is not running efficiently and that the cost of keeping your home comfortable will continue to increase until you solve the problem.

2. There Are Cold Spots in Your Home

If your heating system seems to work better in some areas of your home than in others, there might be a problem with your ductwork. Your ducts may have leaks or a blockage. Duct problems are especially likely if the cold spots stay cold even when you crank the thermostat up.

3. Poor Air Quality

If your home is clean but the air seems hazy, this is a strong indication that something is wrong. Other indicators of poor air quality include members of the household suffering from respiratory conditions. The first step to solving this problem is to swap out your air filter. If your air quality is still poor even with a new air filter, contact a heating repair company immediately.

Dealing with small problems now can keep you from having to pay for major repairs later on. If you spot any of these issues with your heating system, contact us right away.